Michael Bokma (center) is presented with a plaque of appreciation by Vineland Police Chief Timothy Codispoti (right) for assisting the Vineland Police Department in apprehending burglary suspects during a ceremony at Vineland City Hall on Thursday. Also pictured is Vineland Mayor Ruben Bermudez. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

Michael Bokma (right) is presented with a certificate of appreciation by Vineland Mayor Ruben Bermudez for assisting the Vineland Police Department in apprehending burglary suspects during a ceremony at Vineland City Hall on Thursday. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

Michael Bokma, who was presented with a plaque of appreciation for assisting the Vineland Police Department in apprehending burglary suspects, proudly holds the award with his wife Janis Bokma during a ceremony at Vineland City Hall on Thursday. / Staff photo/Charles J. Olson

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VINELAND — Instead of donning a cape, hometown hero Michael Bokma stepped up to help police collar a couple of burglary suspects last month while wearing long johns.

Surrounded by officers, police Chief Tim Codispoti presented Bokma with a commendation Thursday during a City Hall ceremony to acknowledge his bravery. Mayor Ruben Bermudez added to the accolades with a certificate of appreciation.

Bokma, a 43-year-old landscaper, said he has an uncanny knack for being at the wrong place at the right time.

On Feb. 1, he got home about 3 p.m. after a long morning clearing snow. He peeled off his pants and shoes soaked from work and headed to his home office.

Plans changed when he heard a burglar alarm screech. When he looked out a window, Bokma said he spotted two guys bolting from his neighbor’s screened-in back porch.

If he had stopped to pull on shoes and clothes, he thought, “they might get away with it.”

He shouted to his 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, to call 9-1-1. Bokma grabbed his cellphone and bolted barefoot out into the snow to trail the suspects along Brewster Road.

“I didn’t want to lose sight of them,” he said, watching them run toward a another neighbor’s yard. Because he frequently runs across odd things, he said, he has the Vineland police dispatcher on speed dial.

Bokma was able to relay the route the suspects were taking to responding police officers. He then jumped in his truck and headed down Brewster Road, watching the two men slow to a walk as they reached Oak Road. They headed toward the Bradway Trucking property. When police pulled up, so did Bokma helping to block any escape path.

The suspects, Onix Barbosa, 22, and Hector Gomez, 23, both of Millville, were arrested and charged with multiple burglaries.

Bokma said he’s had equipment stolen from his property and knows a few neighbors who have been burglary victims.

Some people are reluctant to get involved, Bokma said, adding he is not. “I’m not the type of person to just watch or drive past; I react, jump in and do what needs to be done.”

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Shaking hands with the chief, Bokma said, “I’ll be there to help whenever I can.”

Codispoti laughed.

“I’ll write that down,” he said.

About a week ago, Bokma called 9-1-1 and assisted an elderly woman who was lost and driving the wrong way on Route 55.

When he can be there to assist others, he will. It was how he was raised, Bokma said.

While growing up, Bokma said, he often watched his parents reach out to help whenever they could.

Also attending the ceremony were his children, Hannah and Michael, and his wife, Janis, who is also known for helping people. She is a school nurse at Landis Intermediate School.

Police Capt. Rudy Beu noted Bokma had assisted police in a proper manner, not confronting the suspects and keeping a safe distance while relaying information.

The last citizen to receive a commendation was Jaryd Aulffo, who bravely came to the aid of Officer Terry Hall back in Feb. 27, 2011.

Hall had responded to a domestic dispute at West and Chestnut avenues and found himself in a fight with the male suspect. Before he could call for backup, Hall lost his balance and the suspect was standing over him.